Read More

Before then, it looks as if the cold snap will grip the UK with disruptive snowfall in some places, although it is too early to identify the exact locations of the falls.

According to Dr Todd Crawford, chief forecaster of The Weather Company, long term forecasts have trended towards below average temperatures in a chilly north-easterly flow, at least the first half of the month, as low pressure circulates to the north-east.

A spokesperson for The Weather Channel said: “There will be widespread wintry showers over north and central Britain on Saturday while Ireland remains drier.

“A front clears through Sunday before another system moves in from the west on Monday.

"The wind chill factor will make temperatures feel like -4C in the north and -5 to -8C at higher levels.”